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Forget the Glory
Because of a scandal back in England, Captain Rowan DeMayne, son of an earl, was forced to join the 43rd Light Dragoons, whose seven years in India were mainly spent parading in splendid uniforms on matched chestnut horses. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Mary, widowed twice, is determined to improve her lot, and will eventually become lady's maid to Rowan's "beautiful shell" of a wife. Then at last--the 43rd is going to war! Rowan joyfully announces this on horseback to a stunned ballroom. While the over 600 men and 750 fine horses journey through exotic and dangerous terrain to relieve the decimated troops in the Crimea, there'll be a cholera epidemic and sandstorms, deaths and one pathetic desertion, and Rowan will battle storms within: marital disillusion; nightmare guilt about his (honorable) refusal to prevent the torture death of a bandit's girl; doubts about the glory of war; and his inexplicable attraction to the lowly Mary.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
16 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Emma Drummond
24 books15 followersA pseudonym used by Edna Dawes.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 15, 2015
It’s easy to find a male character to like; there’s plenty of dashing heroes for all tastes to choose from. Rarer is a book that has a heroine one can love.
Drummond’s novel has one: although Rowan DeMayne occupies a great portion of the plot, I see this as Mary Clarke’s story. At the beginning, she is an industrious and good-hearted girl, aged 17, but impecunious, illiterate, and with a low opinion of herself, accustomed as she is to mistreatment and being ignored. She doesn’t question her lot in life, too busy with trying to survive, earn a living and be useful within the clique of “troopers’ women” in which she’s been born, and accepts the beatings of her drunken husband. Her whole world is the regiment of British soldiers stationed in the fictional garrison of Meerpore, and she doesn’t know what else lies beyond.
Until one night in which Captain DeMayne, the disgraced younger son of a noble house, stops her inebriated spouse in the midst of a beating, but does so in such a contemptuous way that shakes Mary to the core. Determined to rise above her lot and better herself, proving the arrogant cavalryman wrong, she starts to ponder on things that she hadn’t given a thought to before, her natural curiosity and fighting spirits awakened. And soon after her trooper dies, she quickly remarries, this time to a man with a kindliness about him, who supports her in her desires to improve herself, and teaches her to read and write. The passages describing Mary laboriously reading books for the first time and trying to understand “them big words” are sweet, and one of my favourites, and made me like her in the first place. She is not a beauty and she’s not brilliant as many heroines tend to be, but she is charming and inquisitive and sharp-witted, and honest above all.
Widowed a second time, she enters to serve in the hospital as a favour, where she reencounters Rowan, on the gates of death after returning from a mysterious mission of which he won’t speak, and helps nurse him back to health, all the while he still doesn’t acknowledge her presence. The hero’s attitude pertaining her at this stage is appalling and continues throughout the early months of his marriage, when she is taken as a maid by his selfish and pampered wife; and it’ll take a time for him to toss away his prejudiced opinion of this “trooper’s woman.” Changes start to come slowly during the harrowing land march towards the Crimea, to where the regiment has been destined to fight the Russians. Rowan’s eyes start to open and see Mary in a new light because of her behaviour, her willingness to learn, to suffer the hardships without complaining, and her eagerness to improve her peasant-style manner of speaking, her solicitousness as a maidservant, and wide-eyed wonder of the new places they see, all of which contrasts with the egotistical stubbornness of the Captain’s wife to change a single thing.
Love blossoms on the road, for both, though none follows their impulses till a certain scene in the desert that you have to read to enjoy. Both emerge of that near-death experience deeply changed, but there are still obstacles that they will have to face. And face them they do, during a wild storm at sea with tragic consequences and when they arrive to the Crimea, where the conditions are disheartening and in disorder. Each go their way, with Rowan devoting himself to the regiment and to the battle, and Mary trying to survive as a “vivandiere,” which proves more fruitful than expected. The fall of Sebastopol has them again in a life-or-death situation that will force them both to acknowledge the things they’re denying, especially him.
Did I mention that it was the female character’s arc that fascinated me? Really, there’s an inversion here with the two characters: she evolves drastically with regard to her social standing and life conditions, but she maintains the core traits of her personality. On the other hand, Rowan’s character evolution is more drastic, contrasting with his social standing, that’s much the same, unlike Mary’s. Both mature in the process from the start to the finish, and I do love when authors take care to draw character arcs with the same attention that they do plot, it’s more satisfying and feels more complete that way.
My sole wish is that there’d been an epilogue chapter to close the story. A small yet important wish.
Drummond’s novel has one: although Rowan DeMayne occupies a great portion of the plot, I see this as Mary Clarke’s story. At the beginning, she is an industrious and good-hearted girl, aged 17, but impecunious, illiterate, and with a low opinion of herself, accustomed as she is to mistreatment and being ignored. She doesn’t question her lot in life, too busy with trying to survive, earn a living and be useful within the clique of “troopers’ women” in which she’s been born, and accepts the beatings of her drunken husband. Her whole world is the regiment of British soldiers stationed in the fictional garrison of Meerpore, and she doesn’t know what else lies beyond.
Until one night in which Captain DeMayne, the disgraced younger son of a noble house, stops her inebriated spouse in the midst of a beating, but does so in such a contemptuous way that shakes Mary to the core. Determined to rise above her lot and better herself, proving the arrogant cavalryman wrong, she starts to ponder on things that she hadn’t given a thought to before, her natural curiosity and fighting spirits awakened. And soon after her trooper dies, she quickly remarries, this time to a man with a kindliness about him, who supports her in her desires to improve herself, and teaches her to read and write. The passages describing Mary laboriously reading books for the first time and trying to understand “them big words” are sweet, and one of my favourites, and made me like her in the first place. She is not a beauty and she’s not brilliant as many heroines tend to be, but she is charming and inquisitive and sharp-witted, and honest above all.
Widowed a second time, she enters to serve in the hospital as a favour, where she reencounters Rowan, on the gates of death after returning from a mysterious mission of which he won’t speak, and helps nurse him back to health, all the while he still doesn’t acknowledge her presence. The hero’s attitude pertaining her at this stage is appalling and continues throughout the early months of his marriage, when she is taken as a maid by his selfish and pampered wife; and it’ll take a time for him to toss away his prejudiced opinion of this “trooper’s woman.” Changes start to come slowly during the harrowing land march towards the Crimea, to where the regiment has been destined to fight the Russians. Rowan’s eyes start to open and see Mary in a new light because of her behaviour, her willingness to learn, to suffer the hardships without complaining, and her eagerness to improve her peasant-style manner of speaking, her solicitousness as a maidservant, and wide-eyed wonder of the new places they see, all of which contrasts with the egotistical stubbornness of the Captain’s wife to change a single thing.
Love blossoms on the road, for both, though none follows their impulses till a certain scene in the desert that you have to read to enjoy. Both emerge of that near-death experience deeply changed, but there are still obstacles that they will have to face. And face them they do, during a wild storm at sea with tragic consequences and when they arrive to the Crimea, where the conditions are disheartening and in disorder. Each go their way, with Rowan devoting himself to the regiment and to the battle, and Mary trying to survive as a “vivandiere,” which proves more fruitful than expected. The fall of Sebastopol has them again in a life-or-death situation that will force them both to acknowledge the things they’re denying, especially him.
Did I mention that it was the female character’s arc that fascinated me? Really, there’s an inversion here with the two characters: she evolves drastically with regard to her social standing and life conditions, but she maintains the core traits of her personality. On the other hand, Rowan’s character evolution is more drastic, contrasting with his social standing, that’s much the same, unlike Mary’s. Both mature in the process from the start to the finish, and I do love when authors take care to draw character arcs with the same attention that they do plot, it’s more satisfying and feels more complete that way.
My sole wish is that there’d been an epilogue chapter to close the story. A small yet important wish.
November 13, 2014
When Rowan DeMayne shames his family's name (over a disastrous-turned- violent affair of the heart) he is disowned and can no longer join the family's renowned 11th Light Brigade. Instead, he is forced to join whichever regiment will take him, and is humiliated when this happens to be the 43rd, otherwise known as "The Gingerbread Men".
You see, the 43rd has never seen action in its decades of service, and Colonel Daubnay wants to keep it that way. The Colonel revels in the best-dressed, best manoeuvered, best chestnut cavalry etc. In short, toy soldiers. Rowan, a wild daredevil of a man is smothered. He takes on secret missions involving disguise and knowledge of native languages to infiltrate the enemy and return with their plans. The risk? Torture and death if found out.
6 months later Rowan returns, more dead than alive, his body a scarred mass, jabbering foreign tongues and refusing to tell anyone what happened...
In time the 43rd receive a call to action. The 11th light brigade (among others) is being decimated in the Crimea and reinforcements are needed. What follows is a journey across India,then across the Red Sea, over Egypt's desert, then the Black Sea to Sevastopol. They deal with Cholera, sandstorms, storms at sea while the horses in the hold run amok and finally battle...
While Forget The Glory is a book of action, it is also a love story. There's Rowan, his cream puff wife Lydia, and then Mary who was born into the military, widowed twice at age 17 and who takes on jobs of laundress, seamstress, nurse and maid in order to stay with the only "family" she's ever known: the regiment. Mary is someone who early in the book Rowan disdains for her low class, but as the story progresses, she earns his respect and...well, you'll just have to read it and see what happens....
I absolutely LOVED this book! There is not one part that lagged. It kept my attention throughout. Rowan is a real angsty "tortured hero" type and even when he is foolhardy you can understand why, all the characters are true to their experience and background and imperfect which makes them so real.
Love it. Love it. Love it.
CONTENT:
SEX: Past dalliances are mentioned, sex is mostly between married couples and is 'fade to black'
VIOLENCE: Moderately Strong ( battle scenes, and the hero is tortured)
PROFANITY: Mild
MY RATING: Strong PG-13
Recommended for NA and A readers
You see, the 43rd has never seen action in its decades of service, and Colonel Daubnay wants to keep it that way. The Colonel revels in the best-dressed, best manoeuvered, best chestnut cavalry etc. In short, toy soldiers. Rowan, a wild daredevil of a man is smothered. He takes on secret missions involving disguise and knowledge of native languages to infiltrate the enemy and return with their plans. The risk? Torture and death if found out.
6 months later Rowan returns, more dead than alive, his body a scarred mass, jabbering foreign tongues and refusing to tell anyone what happened...
In time the 43rd receive a call to action. The 11th light brigade (among others) is being decimated in the Crimea and reinforcements are needed. What follows is a journey across India,then across the Red Sea, over Egypt's desert, then the Black Sea to Sevastopol. They deal with Cholera, sandstorms, storms at sea while the horses in the hold run amok and finally battle...
While Forget The Glory is a book of action, it is also a love story. There's Rowan, his cream puff wife Lydia, and then Mary who was born into the military, widowed twice at age 17 and who takes on jobs of laundress, seamstress, nurse and maid in order to stay with the only "family" she's ever known: the regiment. Mary is someone who early in the book Rowan disdains for her low class, but as the story progresses, she earns his respect and...well, you'll just have to read it and see what happens....
I absolutely LOVED this book! There is not one part that lagged. It kept my attention throughout. Rowan is a real angsty "tortured hero" type and even when he is foolhardy you can understand why, all the characters are true to their experience and background and imperfect which makes them so real.
Love it. Love it. Love it.
CONTENT:
SEX: Past dalliances are mentioned, sex is mostly between married couples and is 'fade to black'
VIOLENCE: Moderately Strong ( battle scenes, and the hero is tortured)
PROFANITY: Mild
MY RATING: Strong PG-13
Recommended for NA and A readers
August 26, 2016
"In that December of 1853 his reputation as one of the most valiant officers in the service of Queen Victoria was undeniable, but in the breasts of his fellows burnt the secret desire to see the regimental daredevil brought to his knees. In the breasts of the fair sex burnt the same desire, except that they wished him to be brought to only one knee-at their feet, declaring his unquenchable passionate devotion.”
And that my friends, is Captain Rowan DeMayne, the hero of this story. Having disgraced himself over an unsuitable female and cast out by his family Rowan joins the 43rd Light Dragoons in the backwaters of India where they see little action, although they can march quite prettily in their full dress uniforms. The other half of this story is that of Mary Clarke, born and raised in the barracks and doomed to spend her life as the wife of a foot soldier – and if he dies she must immediately marry another – and there is never a way out of that life. Or is there?
The 43rd is called to Crimea to the aid of the fallen Light Brigade and as they begin the long journey there Mary gets the opportunity to “get a leg up” in life when she’s offered the job of personal maid to Rowan’s vapid beautiful wife. The 43rd makes an incredible journey as they travel across India, oversea to Egypt, then to Alexandria to set sail once again to reach the Crimea.
On the surface that might sound a tad bit boring, but trust me it’s not. Rowan carries some serious emotional baggage and Mary may be the only one who can heal them. Their verbal battles were a lot of fun to watch as the tension heated up between them. You’ll get to see the difficulties of moving a large troop of soldiers and their horses across land and sea – let alone how dangerous a ship full of terrified horses during a storm at sea can be. You will feel as parched and dirty as the soldiers did as they march across the barren desert, and heartbreak at the suffering of their fellow soldiers during the savage Russian winter. As for the final days before the siege of Sebastopol is finally over? Terrifying.
“What had it all been for, they asked themselves. Why had thousands died by sword, sickness and extremes of weather? For what reason had boys agonized and been sundered only yesterday?…There was no victory, no glory in this! Why had they come?”
Yes, war is hell. Another unputdownable book from Emma Drummond, and she will keep you on pins and needles until the very, very last page. I really liked using Mary’s character to show the disparity between *classes* of the common foot soldier and their wives and the officers – well done. Drummond also writes under the name Elizabeth Darrell and the same book can be found under both author names. Not sure why, but I love the exotic Eastern settings she uses and I will be hunting down more of her books in the very near future.
And that my friends, is Captain Rowan DeMayne, the hero of this story. Having disgraced himself over an unsuitable female and cast out by his family Rowan joins the 43rd Light Dragoons in the backwaters of India where they see little action, although they can march quite prettily in their full dress uniforms. The other half of this story is that of Mary Clarke, born and raised in the barracks and doomed to spend her life as the wife of a foot soldier – and if he dies she must immediately marry another – and there is never a way out of that life. Or is there?
The 43rd is called to Crimea to the aid of the fallen Light Brigade and as they begin the long journey there Mary gets the opportunity to “get a leg up” in life when she’s offered the job of personal maid to Rowan’s vapid beautiful wife. The 43rd makes an incredible journey as they travel across India, oversea to Egypt, then to Alexandria to set sail once again to reach the Crimea.
On the surface that might sound a tad bit boring, but trust me it’s not. Rowan carries some serious emotional baggage and Mary may be the only one who can heal them. Their verbal battles were a lot of fun to watch as the tension heated up between them. You’ll get to see the difficulties of moving a large troop of soldiers and their horses across land and sea – let alone how dangerous a ship full of terrified horses during a storm at sea can be. You will feel as parched and dirty as the soldiers did as they march across the barren desert, and heartbreak at the suffering of their fellow soldiers during the savage Russian winter. As for the final days before the siege of Sebastopol is finally over? Terrifying.
“What had it all been for, they asked themselves. Why had thousands died by sword, sickness and extremes of weather? For what reason had boys agonized and been sundered only yesterday?…There was no victory, no glory in this! Why had they come?”
Yes, war is hell. Another unputdownable book from Emma Drummond, and she will keep you on pins and needles until the very, very last page. I really liked using Mary’s character to show the disparity between *classes* of the common foot soldier and their wives and the officers – well done. Drummond also writes under the name Elizabeth Darrell and the same book can be found under both author names. Not sure why, but I love the exotic Eastern settings she uses and I will be hunting down more of her books in the very near future.
December 13, 2025
The historical fiction in the style I love the most. A novel that teaches about historical events, everyday life, asks questions, and rarely gives easy answers, makes me think and feel.
And also an original love story. They were so very different, living next to each other, yet so far away. The way they got to know each other was great to watch.
The story I didn't want to stop reading (sleeping seemed of little interest to me ;-) ).
It reminded me so much of M.M. Kaye. I am going to explore Emma Drummond's books, for sure.
And the title, so meaningful.
And also an original love story. They were so very different, living next to each other, yet so far away. The way they got to know each other was great to watch.
The story I didn't want to stop reading (sleeping seemed of little interest to me ;-) ).
It reminded me so much of M.M. Kaye. I am going to explore Emma Drummond's books, for sure.
And the title, so meaningful.
October 24, 2014
A stirring tale of England's ill-fated Crimean War (1953-1856) in which France, Britain, and the Ottoman Empire allied to wrest control of a strategic Black Sea peninsula from Russia. This a fictional historical romance, but it is solidly based on personal and regimental records of the 10th Hussars and 12th Lancer divisions, which shipped out of India and traveled over six thousand miles to replace the decimated Light Brigade and take Sebastopol.
I thought Beyond All Frontiers was a stronger book, but this is still a splendid story, with a truly admirable heroine, Mary Clarke--a child of the fictional 43ed Light Dragoons, born to a trooper's wife, raised in the barracks and tents, and married and widowed twice to Brigade troopers. Mary is a woman of extraordinary courage and common sense. She is determined to better herself and learns to read, masters the skills to serve as a lady's maid, and acts as a battle field nurse in the days long before MASH units. She never complains, she never gives up and I loved her completely.
The hero, unfortunately, was less admirable. I never warmed to Captain Rowan DeMayne, the high-born officer whom Mary comes to love (pretty much beats me why). DeMayne was well-drawn, however, and his foibles, misconceptions about family and honor, and misplaced affections were all consistent in a dumb-19th-century-male sort of way. The real hero, for my money, was Mary's second husband.
I worked around horses for many years and I've seen them panic-stricken: Drummond does those scenes so well and is so on target about the terror and danger of out-of-control thousand-pound animals that I was quite in awe and on the edge of my seat.
PG Warning: Blood, gore, danger, some fade-to-black sex.
I thought Beyond All Frontiers was a stronger book, but this is still a splendid story, with a truly admirable heroine, Mary Clarke--a child of the fictional 43ed Light Dragoons, born to a trooper's wife, raised in the barracks and tents, and married and widowed twice to Brigade troopers. Mary is a woman of extraordinary courage and common sense. She is determined to better herself and learns to read, masters the skills to serve as a lady's maid, and acts as a battle field nurse in the days long before MASH units. She never complains, she never gives up and I loved her completely.
The hero, unfortunately, was less admirable. I never warmed to Captain Rowan DeMayne, the high-born officer whom Mary comes to love (pretty much beats me why). DeMayne was well-drawn, however, and his foibles, misconceptions about family and honor, and misplaced affections were all consistent in a dumb-19th-century-male sort of way. The real hero, for my money, was Mary's second husband.
I worked around horses for many years and I've seen them panic-stricken: Drummond does those scenes so well and is so on target about the terror and danger of out-of-control thousand-pound animals that I was quite in awe and on the edge of my seat.
PG Warning: Blood, gore, danger, some fade-to-black sex.
February 17, 2018
The 43d cavalry regiment is stationed in India for several years and has no experience with war. During the Crimean war they are called to march from India by ship to Egypt and through the desert to Alexandria and then by ship to their destination (a 6000 miles journey).
I thought that it would not be as interesting as the first book by Emma Drummond that I have read A Captive Freedom but I was wrong. The descriptions are such that immerse the reader in the story. The romance is built slowly and during the last 2 or 3 pages (which I read again immediately after finishing the book) it is so moving.
I thought that it would not be as interesting as the first book by Emma Drummond that I have read A Captive Freedom but I was wrong. The descriptions are such that immerse the reader in the story. The romance is built slowly and during the last 2 or 3 pages (which I read again immediately after finishing the book) it is so moving.
February 3, 2018
Set in the 1850s, this is the harrowing but heroic story of the long journey from India to the Crimea made by regiments of the British cavalry ordered in to replace the fallen soldiers of the Light Brigade.
The troops, their wives, children, weapons and horses travelled the six thousand miles by foot, camels and ships, crossing deserts, oceans and continents, taking in oppressive heat, cholera, terrifying sandstorms and devastating storms at sea. Those who survived were then thrown into battle, suffering starvation, exhaustion and agonising injuries in the horrific Siege of Sebastopol.
At its heart are Rowan and Mary. Captain Rowan DeMayne is tall, dark and arrogant, with a reckless and fearless reputation, but beneath the exterior lies a man close to breaking. Yum. Several years earlier he was humiliated and disowned by his family and regiment over a woman, and in recent times was mentally and physically tortured by the enemy. In desperation, he marries the beautiful but spoilt Lydia and finds himself burdened by yet another shackle. Oh the angst. Oh my loins.
Mary was born into the regiment, orphaned young, widowed twice by the age of seventeen and now works as a washerwoman for the soldiers. Uneducated but with a thirst to better herself, she becomes Lydia's maid and accompanies the DeMaynes on the arduous trek, where she grows close to Rowan.
But how close is too close, and can any of them survive the torments of their minds, their hearts and the journey, and the hells of war that awaits them?
This is the second book I've read by Emma Drummond (the first being Scarlet Shadows) and I've loved both of them. Her historic details, effortless storytelling and passionate characters vividly bring to life another era, complete with brooding angsty heroes. What more could I want?
The troops, their wives, children, weapons and horses travelled the six thousand miles by foot, camels and ships, crossing deserts, oceans and continents, taking in oppressive heat, cholera, terrifying sandstorms and devastating storms at sea. Those who survived were then thrown into battle, suffering starvation, exhaustion and agonising injuries in the horrific Siege of Sebastopol.
At its heart are Rowan and Mary. Captain Rowan DeMayne is tall, dark and arrogant, with a reckless and fearless reputation, but beneath the exterior lies a man close to breaking. Yum. Several years earlier he was humiliated and disowned by his family and regiment over a woman, and in recent times was mentally and physically tortured by the enemy. In desperation, he marries the beautiful but spoilt Lydia and finds himself burdened by yet another shackle. Oh the angst. Oh my loins.
Mary was born into the regiment, orphaned young, widowed twice by the age of seventeen and now works as a washerwoman for the soldiers. Uneducated but with a thirst to better herself, she becomes Lydia's maid and accompanies the DeMaynes on the arduous trek, where she grows close to Rowan.
But how close is too close, and can any of them survive the torments of their minds, their hearts and the journey, and the hells of war that awaits them?
This is the second book I've read by Emma Drummond (the first being Scarlet Shadows) and I've loved both of them. Her historic details, effortless storytelling and passionate characters vividly bring to life another era, complete with brooding angsty heroes. What more could I want?
March 26, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, even though the hero is a jackass for large parts of it. Drummond doesn't stint with the attention to detail and she never makes the mistake of retconning our morals and sensibilities onto 19th century characters. When Mary's first husband gets drunk and beats her, and she is blamed, it's entirely in keeping with Victorian attitudes--although it's uncomfortable for a modern reader.
The scope of the novel was entirely epic. It was certainly Anglo-centric, but never stooped to insulting national or ethnic stereotypes. I enjoyed the details about going to war, and the harrowing/adventurous experience of wives of the regiment.
Onto the romance. Rowan is a jackass for a lot of this book, even by the standards of his time. He's a gentleman, in the traditional sense, but he doesn't always act like that. Some of that stems from a serious case of PTSD and some of it stems from the fact that he starts the novel as an entitled brat. Luckily, the entitled brat bit gets worn away as the book goes on.
Mary, on the other hand, is awesome. She's just awesome. She's resilient and tough and determined to "better" herself, which she does, while doing whatever she has to in order to survive as a trooper's son, trooper's wife, and a widow.
The ending is a tad heavy handed, but you can tell that Drummond feels she's earned a little melodrama after all the blood and guts. And as a reader, I felt she earned it too. There is--praise the Lord--no saccharine Happily Ever After. Just a very satisfying conclusion.
The scope of the novel was entirely epic. It was certainly Anglo-centric, but never stooped to insulting national or ethnic stereotypes. I enjoyed the details about going to war, and the harrowing/adventurous experience of wives of the regiment.
Onto the romance. Rowan is a jackass for a lot of this book, even by the standards of his time. He's a gentleman, in the traditional sense, but he doesn't always act like that. Some of that stems from a serious case of PTSD and some of it stems from the fact that he starts the novel as an entitled brat. Luckily, the entitled brat bit gets worn away as the book goes on.
Mary, on the other hand, is awesome. She's just awesome. She's resilient and tough and determined to "better" herself, which she does, while doing whatever she has to in order to survive as a trooper's son, trooper's wife, and a widow.
The ending is a tad heavy handed, but you can tell that Drummond feels she's earned a little melodrama after all the blood and guts. And as a reader, I felt she earned it too. There is--praise the Lord--no saccharine Happily Ever After. Just a very satisfying conclusion.
May 15, 2013
I am a huge fan of Emma Drummond (and am about to embark on a rereading binge) and this one is one of my favorites - it centers around the Crimean War and features hero and heroine who manage to combine being tough as nails with being wounded souls finding solace only with each other.
March 10, 2021
Rowan is promiscuous, vain, and a ginormous dick. Mary is sixteen, married at twelve to avoid getting raped, and does not hope to become a lady because those are born, not made: “Mary did hope most fervently to own TWO dresses, a bed, a place she could go to and be alone, and to be able to read a whole book without difficulty.” OMG Mary is breaking my heart.
The fact that Mary does not realize the awfulness of (a) Rowan the hero and (b) Lydia his terrible wife… is also breaking my heart. Rowan is a total jackass, a complete jerk to Mary - taking out his temper on her when he’s actually annoyed with his wife - and I hate him. Mary’s like a starved dog, so grateful for any crumbs of affection. What is this bullshit?
Rowan is basically your stereotypical abusive old-school romance husband - “If you choose to play the coquette I shall treat you as such - and my former libertine ways ensured that I had a great deal of practice” - and the fact that he’s doing it to his wife rather than the heroine doesn’t make it any less gross. And, of course, he doesn’t let the fact that he’s married stop him from getting jealous of Mary. I was hoping so hard that Noah Ramslake was going to be the actual hero of this book, I tell you what.
This book is also, obviously, a hot mess of colonialism, but I feel like that should kind of go without saying? As usual the travel/military/war scenes are the best part, but Rowan was so unmitigatedly awful that I couldn't get behind the romance at any point.
The fact that Mary does not realize the awfulness of (a) Rowan the hero and (b) Lydia his terrible wife… is also breaking my heart. Rowan is a total jackass, a complete jerk to Mary - taking out his temper on her when he’s actually annoyed with his wife - and I hate him. Mary’s like a starved dog, so grateful for any crumbs of affection. What is this bullshit?
Rowan is basically your stereotypical abusive old-school romance husband - “If you choose to play the coquette I shall treat you as such - and my former libertine ways ensured that I had a great deal of practice” - and the fact that he’s doing it to his wife rather than the heroine doesn’t make it any less gross. And, of course, he doesn’t let the fact that he’s married stop him from getting jealous of Mary. I was hoping so hard that Noah Ramslake was going to be the actual hero of this book, I tell you what.
This book is also, obviously, a hot mess of colonialism, but I feel like that should kind of go without saying? As usual the travel/military/war scenes are the best part, but Rowan was so unmitigatedly awful that I couldn't get behind the romance at any point.
January 13, 2019
Amazing war romance story!
Another incredible deep romance during wartime as told by this gifted author! The graphic details of battles during the Crimean war in 1855 is devastating my accurate taken from diarist of the day.
Military life in a British regiment in India is painted thoroughly as all aspects of social life from the lowliest soldier 's barracks to the officers' upper class lifestyles is described in great detail. A young girl born into this regiment, forced to marry to remain and with such heart as to work her way up from her demeaned circumstances becomes the 'oracle' to one of the regiment's most notorious officer's in her work as his wife's lady's maid despite from India to the war front in the Crimean War.
Mary Clark is brave beyond words, steadfast and uncomplicated as she watches her better's lives unfold. She is a first-hand witness to the snobbery and selfishness of the upperclass as she works to improve her own life. Her contact with Capt Rowan is her one motivation to improve.
The dialogue is ingenious as is the plot. The writing as a whole is exceptional and human. I a absolutely love this author's work.
I highly recommend this exceptional study in humanity at war to readers of historical fiction and romance. This is more than a five-star read!
Another incredible deep romance during wartime as told by this gifted author! The graphic details of battles during the Crimean war in 1855 is devastating my accurate taken from diarist of the day.
Military life in a British regiment in India is painted thoroughly as all aspects of social life from the lowliest soldier 's barracks to the officers' upper class lifestyles is described in great detail. A young girl born into this regiment, forced to marry to remain and with such heart as to work her way up from her demeaned circumstances becomes the 'oracle' to one of the regiment's most notorious officer's in her work as his wife's lady's maid despite from India to the war front in the Crimean War.
Mary Clark is brave beyond words, steadfast and uncomplicated as she watches her better's lives unfold. She is a first-hand witness to the snobbery and selfishness of the upperclass as she works to improve her own life. Her contact with Capt Rowan is her one motivation to improve.
The dialogue is ingenious as is the plot. The writing as a whole is exceptional and human. I a absolutely love this author's work.
I highly recommend this exceptional study in humanity at war to readers of historical fiction and romance. This is more than a five-star read!
August 3, 2023
What a story! I am utterly impressed by Elizabeth Darrell's /Emma Drummond's writing skill. This story kept me turning page after page till the end. She has a great talent describing the inner emotions and thought processes of her characters so even if you don't like their actions, you can fully understand and empathise with them.
The two main characters are Mary Clarke, who I found to be a great heroine and Rowan Demayne, a tormented hero with positive and negative features. I liked the determination and courage they showed and also their personal growth along the way.
The details of the Crimean war between the French, English and Turks on one side and the Russians on the other, were well depicted, you can imagine being there on the battlefield.
Great read, highly recommend! I personally liked this book more then Beyond all frontiers. I recommend it also nevertheless, due to the author's writing skill.
The two main characters are Mary Clarke, who I found to be a great heroine and Rowan Demayne, a tormented hero with positive and negative features. I liked the determination and courage they showed and also their personal growth along the way.
The details of the Crimean war between the French, English and Turks on one side and the Russians on the other, were well depicted, you can imagine being there on the battlefield.
Great read, highly recommend! I personally liked this book more then Beyond all frontiers. I recommend it also nevertheless, due to the author's writing skill.
July 19, 2024
I may be a bit biased with my rating for this novel as it has such sentimental meaning for me being a gift from my grandmother when I was a teenager. It looks like a romance (and yes there is romance) but it's so much more! The writing and descriptions of military life in India and the journey to the Crimean war is truly wonderful to read.
Mary Clarke who grew up in the military barracks in India is a tragic but ultimately resilient, intelligent, courageous and wonderful character - she would be up there my favourite literary heroines. Re-reading this book as an adult has inspired me to search out other books by this author. This is only the second book I've rated 5 stars in 2024 and highly recommend this book.
Mary Clarke who grew up in the military barracks in India is a tragic but ultimately resilient, intelligent, courageous and wonderful character - she would be up there my favourite literary heroines. Re-reading this book as an adult has inspired me to search out other books by this author. This is only the second book I've rated 5 stars in 2024 and highly recommend this book.
May 1, 2020
Gloriously uncomplicated love story, beautifully written setting
The story is a straightforward one of love conquers all, but it is the beauty of the comprehensive backdrop of the period setting that makes this book so worthwhile.
The story is a straightforward one of love conquers all, but it is the beauty of the comprehensive backdrop of the period setting that makes this book so worthwhile.
July 8, 2019
Excellent read
The story of solders and war is well written. The main characters are interesting so much so you have to keep on reading.
The story of solders and war is well written. The main characters are interesting so much so you have to keep on reading.
December 20, 2024
Reminds me of a girl named samson. finished this in one night and early morning 12:11 am!
October 14, 2015
After the first quarter of this book I was wishing I hadn't bothered but my perseverance paid off. Elizabeth Darrell knows how to write about war. The romance is more suited to a Saturday afternoon matinee and makes the book overly saccharine at times. Once she reaches the field of battle though, she's in her element and the second half of the book is excellent. It's really a book in two halves. The first worth two stars, the second worth four, so three is my compromise.
April 10, 2015
Read this for the third time 3/2015.
I love Mary, the heroine.
Incredibly detailed with history of the time.
Tortured dark hero who reluctantly falls in love with a low class troopers daughter/widow.
I love Mary, the heroine.
Incredibly detailed with history of the time.
Tortured dark hero who reluctantly falls in love with a low class troopers daughter/widow.
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